The Official Blotter Fall Preview
New Movies and Shows and the End of Pop Culture Costumes
Welcome to the fifth edition of the Berkeley Carroll Blotter Newsletter! This week, our editors collaborated to compile a preview for the best new culture to share with the student body. We also feature… my own thoughts on the end of the pop culture Halloween costume as the holiday fast approaches. As always, we have updates on news and student life, and the sports scores of last week and the schedule of next week. Finally, I want to remind everyone that submissions are open for you to pitch your article as a main item or a smaller feature at this link, and advertise an event at this link. Happy reading! - Isaiah Glick, editor-in-chief
Cultural Preview
By the Editorial Board
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, in theaters near you
Somehow, after sixteen years of being a dominant global pop sensation, Taylor Swift’s stardom is still soaring to new heights. The Eras Tour has been a cross-cultural event, from the Ticketmaster debacle back in November 2022 to the celebrity sightings and friendship bracelets from the shows themselves. It even led her to conquer the NFL with her new relationship with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce. Now, Taylor is conquering the silver screen with Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, the experiential concert-movie her fans are swarming to see. It will likely dethrone the Woodstock movie as the highest-grossing concert-movie of all time, reflecting her similarly unprecedented impact on our modern-day culture and society. Plus, it’s a lot cheaper than seeing her live.
Loki, on Disney+
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has been doing poorly recently, both in terms of critical reception and public viewership. However, there have been a few bright spots, including the series Loki. After an enthralling first season featuring many exciting alternate versions (‘variants’) of Loki – the titular trickster villain played by Tom Hiddleston – Season 2 has already upped the ante with Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror, who threatens to destabilize all of time. Recent Oscar winner Ke Huy Quan’s Ouroboros (O.B. for short) is a welcome addition to the cast with his signature wacky energy. While Loki alone is unlikely to revive the fortunes of the MCU, it’s still a thrilling watch.
Dicks: The Musical, in theaters near you
A24, the indie studio giant behind movies like Uncut Gems and Everything Everywhere All at Once, is back with another off-kilter film. This time, they are adapting the two-man comedy _ Identical Twins from writer-actors Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp as Dicks: The Musical (yes, the title is intentionally provocative). Directed by Seinfeld and Borat veteran Larry Charles, the movie is a humorous riff on the Parent Trap story about two rival businessmen, played by Jackson and Sharp, who find out that they are identical twins and have to reunite their divorced parents. There are two added twists: one of the parents, portrayed by Nathan Lane, is revealed to be gay, and the entire plot is told through dazzling song and dance. Dicks is likely to be a major touchpoint in LGBTQ representation in cinema and appeal to musical theater devotees. Oh, and it features both Megan Thee Stallion and Bowen Yang (in no less than the role of God). It’s ultra-low budget and ultra-raunchy. Watch it for some dumb, hilarious fun
Killers of the Flower Moon, in theaters near you and soon to be on Apple TV+
Martin Scorcese, one of the greatest directors of all time, is back with another opus based on a true story about murders in the Osage Nation in the 1920s. Scorcese brought together his two great actor-collaborators, Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio, for a three and a half-hour epic featuring corruption, murder, and betrayal. The movie explores the investigation of the seemingly unsolvable murders of Osage tribe members in Oklahoma amidst the backdrop of an oil boom and the battle over who would earn the profits. Critics have unanimously praised this movie as another classic from the director of Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, and Goodfellas, with special praise going to female lead Lily Gladstone. It is a shoo-in to get nominated for many Academy Awards, so if you are someone who wants to watch the movies that might win, then get ahead and watch Killers of the Flower Moon.
Mark Zuckerburg’s “Meta AI”
This is not a film or TV show, but because social media is the closest thing we have to a collective mainstream, this is what amounts to culture. You’ve probably seen these creepy faces on your Instagram feed, making you wonder if this is what the end of time does, in fact, look like. Every big tech company wants to have their own AI product, and Mark “The Zuck” Zuckerberg decided (for some strange, unknown reason) that his would be a series of fake Instagram accounts with celebrity faces and generic personalities brainstormed by the overworked interns at Meta. Supposedly, you will be able to message with them to ask about topics from interior design to cooking to even relationship advice, but right now they just post stock images. If this is the future of culture, then maybe we should just collectively call it as a species and keep binging Suits. Yes, Suits, still the #1 show on Netflix. Who needs new ideas, anyway?
The Spooky Death of the Pop Culture Costume
By Isaiah Glick
Last year, I had a great idea for a Halloween costume. I was going to be the Sandman, from Neil Gaiman’s popular fantasy comic series and just-adapted into a hit Netflix series of the same name. I loved both the comic and the show, and I knew that everyone would recognize my look. I got a black coat, combat boots, and the ruby necklace which represents one of his three artifacts that provide the Sandman with his powers. It was going to be amazing.
So what happened, after a strange ride on the subway, when I finally got to school? NO ONE recognized my look! A few people thought I was dressed up as Neo from The Matrix, which was insane because he is wearing a leather coat, and Sandman’s coat is clearly made of cloth. Most people thought I was just making a cool fashion statement. And what’s the point of Halloween if people just think you were changing up your clothes?
Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the end of the so-called ‘monoculture’ where everyone watches the same movies, listens to the same music, wears the same clothes. One of the consequences of this shift has meant that people will no longer know what your Halloween costume came from. When my parents were dressing up for Halloween back in their day, it would have included rock stars like David Lee Roth of Van Halen or Madonna or movie characters from Star Wars and Indiana Jones. Your average Gen-Zer would probably barely recognize any of these names. It’s become difficult to find a cross-cultural icon that everyone will know.
So what do we do now? You could always just dress up as a Halloween stalwart like a ghost, a witch, or even a pumpkin. Alternatively, pick whatever niche interest you have and wait for everyone to ask who you are dressed up as. I can’t wait to try to piece together and guess your costume idea.
News Recap
By Alexa Balodis
The first aid trucks were allowed in through the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Saturday. Israel has not permitted fuel to be a part of the supplies, despite hospitals running out of power to treat patients. Further, amid growing fears of the conflict spilling over into other parts of the region, there is increased support within the Israeli government for a preemptive strike on Hezbollah. However, Biden is working to convince Netanyahu to prevent such a strike.
Jim Jordan’s run for Speaker of the House is over after he fell short on his third attempted vote to secure the position on Friday and the Republicans held a secret ballot vote to remove him as their nominee. At least six candidates have emerged from within the party to become the nominee, but it is an open question whether any of them can unite mainstream Republicans and ultra-rightists to become the next Speaker. President Biden has called for a $105 billion aid package to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan, but it cannot pass until a new speaker is elected.
Banana heir Daniel Noboa was elected President of Ecuador, the youngest in his country’s history. A conservative candidate, Noboa ran on a platform of solving the growing economic instability in the country and preventing gang violence, which has contributed to homicide rates quadrupling over the last four years.
Donald Trump’s legal woes continued as Sidney Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, who are co-defendants in the Georgia election fraud case, entered guilty pleas with District Attorney Fani Willis. Both had insight into Trump’s campaign to overturn the Georgia election and are likely to testify against Trump itself during his trial.
California’s ban on assault rifles has been overturned for the second time after the same judge deemed it unconstitutional and a violation of the interpretation of the Second Amendment established in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association, Inc. v. Bruen. The California Attorney General's office has already filed an appeal and has stated that they will work to prevent this law, that has been on the books for nearly three decades, from being repealed.
Events of the Week
By Maggie Graham
Monday:
Special Schedule for BC Talks: AI
Tuesday:
Affinity Groups for all grades
Wednesday:
9th and 12th grade: Peer
10th grade: Free period
11th grade: Advising
Thursday:
Each grade has grade meeting in their usual spots
Friday:
10th-12th grade: Senior speakers
9th grade: Advising
Saturday:
Berkeley Carroll Halloween Party at 181 Lincoln Place – see email from Mr. Budd to sign up to work at the party to earn community engagement
It’s Spirit Week!
Monday: Pajama Day
Tuesday: Twin Day
Wednesday: Jersey Day
Thursday: Think Pink (Wear pink)
Friday: Homecoming: Show your Lions Pride (and there will be t-shirts!)
Sports of the Week
By Bennett Hilgenberg and Claudia Rothberg
Game Results from the Week of 10/2-10/6:
Varsity Boys and Non-Binary soccer 1-1 tie against Saint Anns
Varsity Girls and Non-Binary volleyball 1-3 loss against
Varsity Girls and Non-Binary tennis 4-1 win against Leman
Varsity Girls and Non-Binary volleyball 3-1 win against Friends Seminary
JV Girls and Non-Binary volleyball 3-0 win against Saint Anns
Varsity Boys and Non-Binary soccer win 5-1 against Long Island Lutheran
JV Girls and Non-Binary volleyball 3-0 win against Friends Seminary
JV Boys and Non-Binary soccer 5-2 against Packer
JV Boys and Non-Binary soccer 1-9 loss against Saint Ann’s
Varsity Boys and Non-Binary Cross Country placed first in their meet
Varsity Girls and Non-Binary volleyball 3-0 win against Staten Island Academy
JV Girls and Non-Binary volleyball win their playoff game 3-0 and make it to finals!
Upcoming Games for the Week of 10/23-10/27:
Monday, 10/23:
Girls and Non-Binary JV Volleyball vs. ACIS - Athletic League (Away)
4:15 PM
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Tennis vs. Riverdale Country School (Away)
4:30 PM, Riverdale Country School
Tuesday, 10/24:
Boys and Non-Binary Varsity Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Boys and Non-Binary JV Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Volleyball vs. ACIS - Athletic League
4:15 PM
Wednesday, 10/25:
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Tennis vs. ACIS - Athletic League
4:00 PM
Varsity Cross Country vs. ACIS - Athletic League (Away)
4:45 PM, Van Cortlandt Park - East Finish (SENIOR NIGHT)
Thursday, 10/26:
Boys and Non-Binary JV Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Boys and Non-Binary Varsity Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Volleyball vs. ACIS - Athletic League
4:15 PM
Friday, 10/27:
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Soccer vs. ACIS - Athletic League
3:00 PM, Owl Hollow
Girls and Non-Binary Varsity Tennis vs. ACIS - Athletic League
4:00 PM
Boys and Non-Binary Varsity Soccer vs. Riverdale Country School (Home)
4:15 PM, Calvert Vaux #1
Boys and Non-Binary JV Soccer vs. Riverdale Country School (Home)
4:15 PM, Calvert Vaux #2
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